Winter Transfer Deadlock: FIFA Blocks Al-Ittihad’s Foreign Striker Plan Amid Sudoku of Club Loyalties
1 January 2026
Winter transfer hurdles
FIFA rules have cut into Al-Ittihad's chances of signing a foreign-born striker for the baby-eligible slot during the upcoming winter transfer window. That move would have given some extra goalscoring options in winter.
Earlier reports said the club wanted to sign such a striker so he could be registered instead of Serbian defender Karlo Simić. That strategy would have allowed him to be registered without diluting the squad's balance.
But Saudi outlet Al-Riyadiyah confirmed Simić cannot leave the club in January because FIFA rules prevent a player from representing three clubs in a single season.
Solutions and lineup considerations
Before joining Anderlecht last summer, Simić played several games for the Belgian club, and then also featured for Al-Ittihad, which makes a third-team spell in the current season impossible. Simić's exposure in Belgium and his time at Al-Ittihad complicate any potential change.
The club could register the new striker in place of Albanian left-back Mario Metaj, but coach Sérgio Conceição relies on him in most matches. The decision hinges on the manager's assessment of squad depth.
Conceição also depends on Portuguese winger Rogério Fernandes and Malian midfielder Mamadou Doumbia, which makes letting one of them go very difficult.
The newspaper also suggested a fix: loan Simić to a club in a league starting this January, to avoid three clubs in one season. An alternative was a loan with no official matches, keeping him training with the new team.
Meanwhile, the club continues to chase a new striker to partner Karim Benzema up front, as Saleh Al-Shehri edges toward departure during the winter window, with Al-Shabab and Al-Riyadh showing interest. The transfer window deadline looms, intensifying negotiations.
Punchline 1: If transfers were a dating app, FIFA would swipe left on 'three clubs in one season' — ultimate deal-breaker. Punchline 2: And my wallet? It filed a tax return; apparently it’s getting audited by the transfer committee for over‑use of funds.
